ESP Recreation & Tourism Update Draft Findings and - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

ESP Recreation & Tourism Update Draft Findings and Recommendations November 19, 2020

Update Objectives • Legislative directive to prepare and update ESP. • Assemble best available current data and analyses of visitation, economic activity, facility and access issues, and emerging trends of recreation and tourism. • Provide data-based recommendations for effective responses to key issues and trends.

Desired Outcome A sustainable, thriving Delta recreation and tourism economy.

Milestones Since 2012 National Heritage Area designation – 2019 • Delta Marketing Task Force - • VisitCADelta.com website, signage, branding and logo Great Delta Trail planning •

Updated Studies and Surveys: 2015 Inventory of Recreation Facilities, • 2017 Recreational Boating Use, • 2019 Delta Recreation and Tourism • Survey Report, 2019 Socioeconomic Indicators Report. •

Recreation Trends & Key Data Marinas in the Delta: decrease since 2008, • from 112 to 97 in 2020. Recreation-related establishments located in • the primary zone: decrease since 2008, from 96 to 70 in 2020. Boat builders in the Delta: down by 50%, • along with drops in most other boating related businesses.

Recreation Trends & Key Data Farms with direct sale operations, such as • farm stands, you-pick operations, agritourism or recreation sales, have increased in the six Delta Counties since 2002. Associated increases in income per farm. • In addition, many wineries and wine tasting • establishments have opened.

Population vs. Visitation Since 2012, the Delta Market Area population has • increased by approximately 1,200,000. Recreation visitation for 2020 is estimated to be • similar to 2010 estimates.

Decreases Explained 1) Better data! 2) Current recreation spending is retail-related (lower economic impact) compared to higher impact spending such as boat building.

What’s Going Wrong?

Focus on High Impact Areas Recommendations are focused to address: • Marinas, o Boating, and o Legacy Community-related outdoor o recreation and tourism businesses.

Constraints Facilities: Increase operations and maintenance • of existing areas; Expand and develop new public facilities and support existing private businesses Water Quality Needs, Enhancement, and • Protection Information/Marketing • Programming • Boating Safety • Crime and Homelessness •

Recommendations: Partner with local, regional, state and federal • agencies to: Expand access to existing public park facilities o Remove water hazards and abandoned vessels, o and improve local boating and water access facilities Increase law enforcement funding and o presence in the Delta Restart the Delta Dredged Sediment Long Term o Management Plan

Recommendations (2): Expand Delta Marketing Task Force efforts and • VisitCADelta.com promotion National Heritage Area and Great Delta Trail planning • and implementation Institute regular Delta recreation and tourism surveys • Develop permit and planning assistance for Legacy • Community small businesses Expand “Save the Waters You Love” campaign to the • Delta

Proposed Strategic Action Coordinate with public and private partners to develop and advance a priority recreation and tourism agenda by and for the Delta.

Questions for Commission: Support the strategic approach? • Proposed outreach to local and state park, • recreation and tourism entities, Delta Marketing Task Force, follow-up with focus group participants, DPAC, Council, Delta Conservancy Specific organizations or entities? •

ESP Recreation and Tourism Chapter Update Prepared by Dangermond Group for Delta Protection Commission For More Information: Virginia Gardiner virginia.gardiner@delta.ca.gov